The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1887-02-19
THOUGHTS FOR FEBRUARY.

Winter still fingers, and although
the sun peeps out now and then, we
may still expect frosts with their many
killing effects. Some vegetables will
stand slight frosts and these should be
forced, such as peas, mustard, cab
bages, radishes, and spring turnips.
Ground artichokes should be reset, and
asparagus beds not forgotten. Those
who have old ones should rake, chop
and work In compost and add salt for
u top dressing. Other vegetables, more
tender, eau be planted and protected.
1 am glad 10 see SO many persons
becoming interested in fruit culture,
only they are relying to much upon
nursery men who charge such terrible
prices! We have wesa.h surr..untl>
ing us that we little dream Of. For
years the nursery men have sought for
pear and apple stock, that is blight
and root az his proof. We have the very
stock SO long wanted, growing wild in
cur woods, and that is the Red Haw,
of the Parse]y variety. 1t is an excel
lent time now to graft. The Leconte
or Kiefer pear either do we'll In the
Haw, and In few years make we'll
grown and handsome trees. Every
person living ON a farm should learn
to graft, as it is often a means of OBJ
tanning fruit not sold by nurserymen.
Those planting fruit trees should read
and inform themselves, as mistakes
are often made in their cultivation.
We noticed recently q friend of ours
who had set out nice young orchard
and now he has rye growing among
his trees. Nothing will do an orchard
so much harm as grain OF any kind, as
it is veritable poison 10 fruit trees,
and all who have made this mistake,
should Craze their calves on the grow
ing grain and then turn the!stubble I'M
der with a plow.
A question has recently risen as to
whether we shall plant standard or
dwarf fruit trees. Seeing that so many
have small yards or gardens the dwarf
trees would seem TO be best, but on no
account plant or set out dwarf trees.
They grow easier, that is true, yet they
give but poor satisfaction. They are
so short lived, and seldom bear perfect
fruit after the first three or four years
of fruiting.
Among tho fruit chosen do not forget
the
RASPBERRY.
A more luscious, delicate fruit does not
exist, or one of easier culture. For
some situations tho strawberry docs
we'll, but the raspberry thrives in all.
| The best varieties are the Antwerp,
Cuthbert, Golden Queen or the Grim
son Beauty.
We must not forget the grapes, q
fruit that thrlves we'll in our soil. 1t is
not too late to prune and tie to stakes
and trellis. Do not leave too much
wood remember it Is on the new wood
that the grapes are borne. From ten to
eighteen inches of old wood above the
ground is quite enough TO leave.
Now as l do not count my self among
the first class farmers l shall be glad TO
open correspondence with all who
have favorite modes of planting or cui'
tivating, and will cheerfuIIy answer
all questions asked, giving any infor-
! nation which I. may possess, in return
for any suggestions derived from local
knowledge or experience. M.
Andrew Carnegie looks upon day
of rest as essential to civilization.
From a purely sanitary point OF view
he would have Sunday observed,
position he. maintains In his around
the World" as follows;
The absence of regularly recurring
day of rest ranks second In importance,
1 believe, in the list of causes which
keep the East down in the scale of ma
lions. With few exceptions, the race
| is doomed to life Of unrenitting toll
from morning till night, and every
day without respite; for festival and
fete days, recurring at long, irregular
Intervals, are no substitute for the one
regular day to which labor looks for
ward with US. The prospect Of one
dav of rest frequently Intervening gives